Perhaps there is a article on this somewhere but I can't find it. Anyhow I just started learning Japanese about 2 weeks ago and I am very confused and I feel overwhelmed. There are 3 writing systems....Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji! I'm trying to read and listen and it just feels like too much at once? and I find myself jumping around...

Anyhow my question is where would be a good place to start? Should I learn a little bit of the Kana's first till I know it by heart or should I just read/listen like I have been doing (even though I feel like I"m not picking up any of the symbols).

Learning this new language is making me feel stupid lol...but I do know a few words and phrases by Heart.

I've never studied Japanese, but your experience learning the language sounds familiar. If after just a couple of weeks you already know “a few words and phrases by heart” of a language whose writing system is totally alien to your own, then you are doing quite well. You are not “stupid.” Keep plugging away, and sooner or later, though no one can say just when, the fog WILL start to lift.

I know that other members who have studied Japanese can and will give you good specific advice.

My best advice to you would be to learn hiragana first, as it is what all Japanese children first learn, as well as the first system they teach in a foreign language class. I learned Japanese in a classroom setting, so my advice may be a little different for what you're learning here at LingQ, but if I had to do it all over again, I would develop hiragana first (kanji readings are almost always given in hiragana as well), then start learning some kanji. Katakana is normally only used for loan words or emphasis, and while it is important to learn it, it's the least common of the 3, so I would save it for last. Hope this helps!

I know of at least one member who did very well starting Japanese from scratch at LingQ. It all depends on your interests, and how you like to learn. You may want to also get a book and use other resources to supplement LingQ. I would certainly learn the Kana, and do as much reading in Kana as possible. I would focus on the hiragana and worry about katakana later. I would also learn a few characters.

But mostly, I would just go through our beginner lessons without worrying too much about what seems strange and what you cannot remember. That is normal. Don't be afraid to listen many times, if you can stand it. Mostly you just want to let your brain get used to the language. Doing the flash cards will help you notice the words when you listen and read. You will be surprised at how what seems hopelessly confusing now, will eventually start to seem comprehensible. And when you have that feeling, you will have a sense of achievement that will inspire you to continue.

But it is a long road.

Steve,

if you are referring to Ed, he has a Japanese wife which should make it a lot easier for him.

No I was referring to Rasana, from Russia. Ed spoke Japanese before he met his wife.

Good to know.

I am still very much learning Japanese. (To my regret I have less time now than ever).

But for learning, having a Japanese wife is surprisingly not that useful to me. Something to do with the marriage dynamics. Neither of us want to spend time discussing vocabulary and usage . I also prefer to speak English with her if we live in Canada.

When you do finally master the language you will be able to enjoy having people suggest it is thanks to your marriage rather than your effort. ^^

Thanks for the posts guys. It helped me a little get my thoughts together.

and I did get a little motivation today when I was reading some text in Japanese and saw this:

こんにちは

I immediately recognized it as Hello....Konnichiwa (though I know the last symbol is ha this is how its spelled)